By means of Forbes’ algorithm involving sales tax, weather, unemployment, commute times, and crime, I’ve recently learned that I’m supposed to be miserable in Memphis. I didn’t know that. So, this week I’m rolling up my sleeves and putting some real effort into being miserable. Here goes…
Saturday: I woke up ready to be miserable, but it was sunny and beautiful outside. So instead of being miserable, I enjoyed the sunshine with hundreds of other Memphians during the Move It Memphis 5K/10K downtown for the Memphis Chamber. Did you know that Memphis has one of the largest running clubs in America? Full of miserable people I’m sure.
Sunday: Okay, I really was miserable on Sunday. But it was only because I ate so much soup (and bread pudding). From around 11am to 12:30pm, I wandered the halls of the FedEx Forum at the annual Soup Sunday to benefit Youth Villages. It was my first Soup Sunday. Paula Deen’s Strawberry Cake Balls = yum.
Monday: Last night was the perfect chance to be miserable. Everyone hates Mondays and I have a cold. I went to a Junior League of Memphis meeting, where Madge Clark, JLM President in 1969, spoke about the impact of the League in Memphis. Did you know that since 1922, the league has started, coordinated, or contributed to Memphis organizations such as WKNO, Memphis in May, Church Health Center, Hope House, Children’s Museum of Memphis, Memphis Pink Palace Museum, Memphis Arts Council, and The Memphis Symphony? Obviously a group of miserable people.
Tuesday: It took me 15 whole minutes to get to work this morning. Terrible commute, right? Tonight it’s bowling league night at Billy Hardwick’s All Star Lanes – we’re in the Tuesday Pinbusters League. We’ll drink some beer, eat some corn nuggets, and bowl some strikes…it’ll be a miserable time for sure.
Wednesday: After work tomorrow, I’m going to meet up with some members of my Leadership Academy Fellows Class for happy hour. It’ll probably take me about 10 minutes to get there from work. I wish I lived in another city…a better city where it didn’t take so long to get from point A to point B. This is so miserable. Did you know that over the next 3 years, Academy Fellows will give more than $1.5 million in volunteer service to Memphis? And that currently, more than 100 serve on non-profit boards and more than 50 are mentoring at-risk youth in our community? Miserable.
Thursday: On Thursday, I’m going to the Memphis Symphony’s Opus One debut concert. Playing without a conductor, the Opus One concert series should be amazing to watch. It starts at 7:00pm at One Commerce Square, downtown. Buy your tickets online and come be miserable with me.
Friday: I have a date Friday night. I think I’ll take the night off from trying to be miserable.
Saturday: This Saturday night is the Preview Event for the newly renovated, spectacular University Center at The University of Memphis. I came from Nashville in 1995 to attend school at The U of M. That’s right people…from Nashville to Memphis. None of the professors ever taught me that I was supposed to be miserable here though. Hmm…
Well, I suppose that’s enough for now. I need to stop writing about how great Memphis is and start dedicating myself to being miserable. Nah, that’s a complete waste of time.
I agree…being miserable in Memphis is sure hard to do. http://www.memphisconnect.com/2010/02/19/cant-help-falling-in-love-maybe-elvis-said-it-best/
Gosh, Sara – you do sound Miserable. Thank god, you’re a Memphian.
Kudos. Love your post!
Thank you, Sara. It’s nice to hear other ‘miserable’ people in this city speak out.
Thanks for attending Soup Sunday, Sara. We’re glad you had a good time and helped spread the word about our event. Soup Sunday benefits the Youth Villages mentoring program that makes a powerful, positive difference in the lives of children who have emotional and behavioral problems. We really appreciate your support. – John Lambert, Youth Villages.
Thanks John and Youth Villages – I’m a huge fan – I’ll be there every year, with a spoon in hand, ready to eat.
And a shout out to another John who introduced me to Soup Sunday – I’ll never be the same again.
Sara – couldn’t have said it any better! Just got back from NYC yesterday, and while I love the “City,” I love my city more. We’ve got great people, great potential, and are shifting to embrace a great sense of pride!
I am also having difficulty doing the math of the misery index. I hate to argue with Forbes, it is of course the Capitalist Tool, but perhaps quality of life doesn’t hold still for a snapshot.
Or maybe those of us here on the ground can see changes and traces of hope that Forbes, from its lofty vantage point, simply can’t.
Or maybe I’m just forgetting to carry the one.
Either way, I’m sure it won’t be long until Dr Toboggans has something to say on the matter.
Sara-
Great article/blog, I am glad Amber linked the article on FB. It is good to know that I have friends who enjoy the misery that is Memphis as much as I.
Bob